Automatic parachute delivery mechanism for aircraft



1945. H. P. TRUSTY Y 2,390,230

AUTOMATIC PARACHUTE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR AIRCRAFT Filed June 19, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 1,

m4; j INVENTOR:

40 f7. 5 BY IZSJ A T TORNEY.

- Dec. 4, 1945. H. P. TRUSTY AUTOMATIC PARACHUTE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR AIRCRAFT 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filed June 1.9, 1942 w 1% 2 k a my T mf H 8 a 80 w A TTORA/EX Dec. 4, 1945. TRUSTY 2,390,230-

AUTOMATIC PARACHUTE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR AIRCRAFT Filed June 19, 1.942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 4, 1345. s Q 2,390,230

AUTOMATIC PARACHUTE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR AIRCRAFT Filed June 19, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4- mvmroa:

I .HZzJ-I- FTP g9 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 4, 1945 AUTOMATIC PARAGHUTE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR AIRCRAFT Harry P. Trusty, LosAngelcs, Calif.

Application June 19, 1942, Serial No. 447,618

11 Claims.

This invention is an automatic parachute delivery mechanism for aircraft, and it is an improvement on my invention covered by my United States Letters Patent No. 1,859,542, May 24, 1932, for ,Life preserving mechanism for airships.

The general object of this invention is to provide an improved parachute delivery mechanism for aircraft controlled by the pilot of an aircraft, whereby passengers, mail or freight, may be automatically, quickly and safely delivered from the aircraft with parachutes, at any suitable altitude, and particularly at low altitudes.

Another object is'to provide a mechanism of tl-e character stated which may be readily installed in a conventional transport airplane.

Other objects and advantages will appear here-- 'shown in Fig, l, with the airplane shown partly in longitudinal section and partly in side elevation.

Fig. 3'is a rear end elevation of my invention with the airplane shown in transverse vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the rear-end portion of the parachute carrier mounting of my invention. I

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section of my invention taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section of my invention taken on line 5-6 of Fig. 1.

[of the carriers, on the back of which plate mounted in the plane to be dropped therefrom when so desired.

Fig. 13 is a perspective of one of the carriersv when dropped from the plane, with its parachute drawn out of its container on the back of the carrier, and the carrier harness connected to the lower ends of the risers, which are connected at their upper ends to the shroud lines of the parachute.

Fig. 14 is a front view of the back plate of one s packed the parachute of the carrier.

Fig. 15 is a front view'of one of the carriers 1 with its back plate and parachute secured there- Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lock for locking f Fig, 9 is a view like Fig. '1, but with the lock shown in unlocked position and the switch shown closed, closing the motor circuit.

Fig. 10 is an elevation showing one of the carriers and its parachute dropped from the plane into space with the static cord drawn taut and the parachute open, but before the light cord, connecting the parachute to the parachute container cover is broken.

in, and with its harness extended upwardly over the upper edge of said back plate and connected tothe parachute on the back of said plate.

'Fig. 16 is a perspective'of one of the carrier back plates and the parachute mounted on the "back thereof.

Fig. 1'7 is a vertical section taken on line l1-|1 of Fig. 15 of one of the carriers with its back plate and parachute mounted thereon.

Fig.18 is a horizontal section of one ofthe carriers and its back plate and parachute mounted thereon, taken on line l8l8 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a horizontal section of the carrier taken on line Iii-l9 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 is a horizontal section of the rear section of the carrier mounting, taken on line 2020 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 21 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale of one of the carrierpusher catches in engagement with a roller on the carrier conveyor chain.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters in all of the figures, l indicates an elongated parachute carrier mounting comprising a straight section 2, and a curved rear end section 3. Said straight section 2 is formed with side walls 4 and 5 and a top wall 6,

and said side walls are formed at their lower edges with external base flanges I and 8, respectively, and with track grooves 9 and Ill, respec- I tively, in their outer sides adjacent said base flanges while the upper wall 6 is formed with a. depressed chain channel II, and with a chain housing I2 on the under side of said upper wall, which channel and housing extend longitudinal- Iy of the section 2 in parallel relation.

In the grooves 3 and III of said sde walls 4 and 5. respectively. are arranged wheel tracks I3 and I4. comprising lower and upper channel rail's I5 and I5, which are secured to said side walls in said grooves in any suitable manner. The curved end section 3 of the parachute carrier mounting I is formed with an outer curve side wall I1 and an inner curve side wall I3. and with an upper wall I3, and sa d sidewalls are formed at their lower edges with external base flan es 23 and 2i, respectively, and with grooves 22 and 23, respectively, in their outer sides adjacent said base flanges, while said upper wall I3 is formed with a depressed chain channel 24, and with a chain housing 25 on the under side of said upper wall, said channel and said housing being in curved parallel relation to each other and to the curvature of said section 3, the chain channel 24 extending through the rear end of said curved section (Fig. 4). the channel 24 is formed a chain guide track 25 extending hor zontally inwardly into said channel, and on the inner curved side wall of the chain housing 25 is formed a chain guide track 21 extending horizontally inwardly into said housing. for the purpose hereinafter more fully described. In the groove 22 of the outer curve side wall I1 is arranged a wheel track 23 comprising a lower channel rail 23 and an upper channel rai1 33 secured to said side wall in any suitablemanner. The channels I I and 24 of the sections 2 and 3 of th mounting I are formed with internal flanges 3i while the housings I2 and 25 are formed with internalfianges 32 extending lengthwise thereof. The straight sect'on 2 of the parachute carrier mounting I is detach'ably secured tothe floor 33 of an airplane 34. lon itudinally of the plane. by screws 35 driven through the base flan es 1 and 3 of said sect'on in o the plane floor. The curved end section 3 of the parachute carrier mo nting I is detachably secured to the floor 33 of the p ane 34 by screws 36 driven through the base flan es 2 and 2' of said curved end sect on into the plane floor. with the forward end o said curved end section adiacent to and in re istration with the rear end of the straight secti n 2 of the parachute carrier mounting I, and the rear end of said curved en sect on extending to the d or 31 in one side of the cabin 38 of the oane 34. rearw rdly of the plane wing 33. at said s de of the planesin which po ition of said curved end secti n the rear ends of the cha n channel II, chain hous ng I2, track grooves 3 and I 3 and track I3 of the strai ht section I regis er with the forwa d ends of the chain ch nnel 24. chain housing 25. track grooves 22 and 23. and track 23. respectively of the curved end section 3 of the parachute carrier mounting I. On the On the inner curved side wall of rear ends to said side walls 42, respectively, and extending forwardlyove'r the upper wall I3 of the curved section 3 of the parachute carrier base I and pivoted at their forward ends, respectively, at 45 to the upper wall of said curved section 3, so that the forward ends of'the bottom wall 4| and side walls 42 will engage the rear end-of said curved end section 3 and arrest the apron in its operative position when swung down, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The track 43 is grooved.

A bearing 41 is secured at its lower end upon a, cros bar 43 which extends across the forward end portion of the section 2 of the parachute carrier mounting I, at the lower side of said section, and is secured at its ends to the lower part of the side walls.4 and 5 respectively of said section 2, and in said bearing 41 is turnably mounted a drive journal 43 on the upper end of which are formed a drive gear 50 and a drive sprocket 5| above said drive gear. the lower sides of the hub 52 of said gear and sprocket resting upon the upper end of said bearing 41 and turnably supporting the drive gear 53 and the drive sprocket 5i on the upper end of said bearing 41, and tumably supporting thejournal 43 in said bearing. 0n the upper wall 5 of the straight section 2 of the parachute carrier mounting I, near the forward end of said section, is mounted an electric motor 53, the bearing 54 of which extends downwardly through an opening 55 in said upper wall into said section 2, and the motor shaft 55 journaled in said bearing extends downwardly below said bearing and carries on its lower end a drive pinion 51 in mesh with the drive gear 53. A lock 53 is provided for normally locking my mechanism against operation, which lock includes a locking arm 53, a connecting rod 53, a detension Spring 5|, and an operating lever 52. The locking arm 53 is pivoted at one end at 53 on a bracket 34 secured to the inner side of the front end rear end of the curved end section 3 of t e para- 44 extending from said bottom wall, and outstanding beyond said side walls. respectively. therebeingapairoiarmslisecured attheir wall 55 of the section 2 of the carrier mounting I, and a series of teeth 55 are formed on the rear edge of said locking arm 53 for engaging the teeth 61 of the motor drive pinion 51 for locking said pinion against rotation. To the swinging end of the locking arm 53 is connected the rear end of the rod 53, which extends forwardly through an opening 53 in saidfront end wall 55 of the section 2 of the parachute carrier mounting I, and the forward end of said rod is connected to the operating lever 52, which is pivoted at 62' to a bracket 53 secured to the floor 33 of the airplane 34 within convenient reach of the pilot's seat 13 of the plane. A conventional lock H is provided for locking said releasing lever 52 in lock-releasing position. The spring 5i surrounds the connecting rod 53 between the swinging end of the locking arm 53, to which said rod is connected, and the front wall 55 of the section 2 of the parachute carrier mounting I, which spring normally holds said locking arm 53 with its teeth 55 in mesh with the teeth 51 of the motor drive pinion 51.

The motor 53 is controlled by a switch 12 omprising a pair of contacts 13 and 14 mounted on the front wall 55 of section 2 of carrier mounting I, and a bridge contact 15 mounted on the looking arm 53, the motor circuit 13 including a generator 11, the motor 53 and the switch 12, there being a lead 13 extending from the switch contact 13 to one pole of generator 11. a lead 13 extending from th other pole of said generator to one terminal of the motor 53, and a lead 33 extending from the other terminal of said motor to the switch contact 14.

a,soo,aso

spectively, of said section, and in said sprocket mounting 8| is fitted a journal 89, on the upper end of which is tumably fltted a sprocket 94,

, formed on its lower side with a hub 85 turnably resting upon the upper end of said socket mounting 8I, there being a head 88 on the upper end of said journal 88 resting adjacent the upper side ofsaid sprocket 84, whereby said sprocket is journaled for rotation in its operative position. An

endless chain 81 extends over the drive sprocket and over the sprocket 84 through the channel II andhousing I2 in the straight section 2 of the carrier mounting I, and through the chain channel 24 and chain housing 25 of the curved section 8 of said carrier mounting, with the inner sides of said chain engaging the curved guide tracks 28 and 2] for guiding said chain through the curved chain channel 24 and the curved chain housing 25 of said curved section 3 of said carrier mounting I, there being a plurality of studs 88 secured to said chain and upstanding therefrom at a suitable distance apart, within the chain channel II and chain housing I2 of the section 2, and the chain channel 24 and chain housing 25 of the section 3 of the carrier mounting I, with the upper ends of said studs resting below the upper walls 6 and I9 of said sections, for the purpose hereinafter described. On the studs 88 are Journaled grooved rollers 89 which rest upon the upper side of the chain 81 and receive the internal flanges 3| in the channels II and 24 and the internal flanges 32 in the chain housings I2 and 25, whereby the lower sides of the grooves of said rollers engage the under side of said flanges 3l and 32 and prevent the chain from being lifted out of said channels and housme, while the upper sides of the grooves, of said rollers'engage the upper side of said flanges 3| and 32 and prevent sagging of said chain between the sprockets 5| and 84. Cylindrical rollers 90 are also journaled on the studs 88 above the grooved rollers 89 and rest at their lower ends upon the upper side of said flanged rollers. Pins 9| extend through the upper ends of the studs 88 over the upper ends, of the cylindrical rollers 90 and prevent upward movement of said rollers and the ground rollers 89 on said studs.

A ring guide rod 92 extends along the parachute carrier mounting I a short distance outwardly from one side. of the straight section 2 and the outer curved side of the curved section 3 of said mounting, with the forward end of said flange 20 of said curved section 3 of said carrier mounting I, the rear end portion of said guide rod diverging outwardly from the outer curved side of said curved section 3 of said carrier mounting. A plurality of rings 95 of somewhat larger diameter than the diameter of the guide rod 92 are slidably carried by said guide rod for the purpose hereinafter described.

On the carrier mounting I are mounted a plurality of parachute carriers 98 to travel from one end of said mounting to the other and to be dropped off the rear end of said mounting out of the plane 84, which carriers may be of any suitable. design or. form, and are shown in the form of chairs in which persons such as passengers or soldiers may sit, and which may be converted into carriers for freight, mail or other cargo, and to said carriers are respectively connected parachutes 91 in the manner to be described. Each of said carriers 98 as illustrated,.

includes a base plate 99, mounted on legs 99 and Ill, an upright chair frame IOI' secured on said base plate, a cushion seat I02 detachably supported upon said base plate, and a back plate I08 detachably mounted in-the back part of said frame IN. The base plate 98 is secured at one side on the upper ends of two legs 99 and at its other side on the upper end of a single leg I00, the legs 99 being spaced apart and said base plate being secured near its front edge and near its rear edge to the upper ends of said legs 99, re-.

spectively, while said base plate is secured intermediate its front edge and its rear edge to the upper end of'said single leg I90. The legs 99 are mounted at their lower ends on swiveled wheels I04 which travel in the tracks I8 and 28 on one side of the straight section 2 and on the outer track flange 2I on the inner curved side of the curved section 9 of said parachute carrier mounting! and said wheels I 04 and I05 travel over the apron 40 when said wheels leave the rear ends of-said track 28 and said base track flange 2|, respectively;

To the under side of the base plate 98 of. each carrier 96 is secured a forked-shaped carrier pusher catch I08 which extends downwardly from said base plate, and is adapted to extend downwardly into the channels II and 24 in the sections I and 3, respectively of the parachute carrier mounting I, to be engaged by a roller 90 on the chain 81 for pushing the carrier rearwardly along said mounting I, said fork-shaped catch being formed with a short prong I01 and a long prong I08 which are disposed transversely of the carrier, with 'the short prong forwardly of the long prong, between which prongs said catch I06 receives the roller 90 on the'chain 81, so that when the chain is at rest said prongs engaging said roller, will hold the chair against forward movementand rearward movement, respectively, on the mounting I, but when the chain 81 is driven by the motor 53 through drive sprocket 5| the roller 90 engages the long prong I08 of catch I 06 and pushes the chair rearwardly along the mounting I to the rear sprocket 84, where said roller travels around said rear sprocket and escapes the end of said long prong, whereupon the carrier continues rearwardly until it passes off the rear end of the mounting I and the catch I06 passes out of the rear end of channel 24. The chair frame MI is constructed of light metal tubing and includes a rectangular base member I09, an upstanding inverted U-shaped back member IIO, arms III, and diagonal arm braces II2.

The back member IIO extends upwardly from the rear of the base member I09, the lower ends of the side rails of said back member being secured to the rear corners, respectively, of said base member. The arms III are secured, respectively, at their rear'ends to the side rails of the back member II 0 at a suitable distance above the base member I09 and extend forwardly from said side rails andare bent downwardly and secured at their lower forward ends to the front corners of said base member I03.

The upper portion of the back member H is strengthened against rearward pressure by angleiron gussets H3 at the junctions of said back member and the arms III, which gussets are secured to the upper sides of said arms, respectively and to the front sides of the side rails, respectively, of said back member. Angle iron stops II4 are secured by screws II5 to the inner sides of the gussets II3 respectively, for the purpose hereinafter described. The chair frame IOI is braced by a pair of integral diagonal braces II2, each of which extends from the junction between a rear corner of the base member I09 and the lower end of the adjoining side rail of the back member IIO, to the forward downwardly-bent portion of the arm III, which arm extends forwardly from said side rail of said back member, the brace I I2.being secured, at its rear lower end, to said rear corner of said base frame and adjoining lower end of said side rail of said back member, and secured, at its forward upper end, to the forward curved end of said arm III. The back member H0 is inclined slightly rearwardly from the arms I I I.

A stop plate I I6 is secured to the upper side of the upper connecting rail of the U-shaped back member IIO of the chair frame IN, and extends forwardly a short distance from said connecting rail for the purpose hereinafter described. The back plate I03 is formed with a lower portion I I1 slightly narrower in width than its upper portion H8 and with shoulders IIS between the meeting ends of the side edges of said narrower lower portion, and the side edges of said wider upper portion, so that said back plate may be detach-,

ably placed in the back part of the chair frame IOI, with the lower narrower portion III of said back plate I03 fitting between the arms III of the chair frame and fitting at its lower end between the side rails of the base frame member I09 against the stops I20 in the rear lower corners of the chair frame and with the upper wider portion I I8 of the back plate resting, at its side edze'portions against the side rails of the back frame member I I0, and at its upper edge portion, against the upper cross connecting rail of sa d back frame member, and with the shoulder II3 of said back plate resting upon the arms I I I, and the upper edge of said back plate resting under and adjacent the stop plate IIB, projecting forwardly from the upper cross rail of the back frame member IIO, said stop plate preventing upward movement of said back plate with relation to the chair frame IN. The angle-iron stops II4 are secured to the gussets II 3 by the screws H5 in engagement with the front side of the back plate I03 to hold said plate in position in the rear of the chair frame IOI as aforesaid.

Each carrier 96 is secured in a parachute suspension harness I2I which comprises a pair of suspension straps I22, a pair of connecting straps I23 and a pair of D-rings I24 to which the opposite ends of said uspension straps are respective-- ly connected, said suspension straps extending transversely, in spaced relation under the base frame member I09 of the carrier 33 and conversing upwardly along the inner sides of the carrier frame to said D-rings I24, and said connecting straps I23 being connected at their forward portions to said suspension straps I22 at the sides, respectively, of the carrier, and at their rear ends to the side rails of the back member 3 of the chair frame IOI, near the upper end of said back member, which connecting straps hold the carrier in its proper position in its harness I2I and prevent the carrier from swinging backwardly in said harness.

Each carrier 33 is detachably connected to a parachute 01 by means of its harness I2I and risers I23, there being snap hooks I23, on the lower ends of said risers, engaging the D-rings I24 of the harness I2I, and there being snap hooks I21 on the upper ends of said risers I23 engaging rings I23 to which the lower ends of the parachute shroud lines I23 are connected. The parachute 31 when not in use is contained within a container I30 mounted on the rear side of the back plate I03 of the carrier 38, the upper end portions of the harness I2I extending rearwardly over the upper end of said back plate and the back member I I0 of the chair frame IOI, with the snap hooks I26 of risers I engaging the D- rings I24 of said harness. The parachute container I30 comprises a stationary member I3I, secured to the rear side of the back plate I03, and a detachable cover member I 32 fitted over said stationary member, said stationary member being formed with outstanding side walls I33 and end walls I34, in which walls are a plurality of spaced eyelets I35, and said cover member being formed with inturned side walls I36 and end walls I31 in which walls are a plurality of spaced eyelets I38, through which eyelets is laced a light cord I39, whereby said cover member I32 is detachably held in position over said stationary member I3I enclosing the parachute 91 in the container I30. The parachute 31 is connected at its upper end, in the center of the top thereof, to the inner side of the outer wall I40 of the detachable cover member I32 by a light cord I 4|. A static strap I42 is secured at one end to the detachable cover member I32, and a snap hook I43 is secured to the other end of said strap and is connected to one of the rings 95 On the guide rod 92.

The operation, uses and advantages of my invention are as follows:

To place the parachute carriers 33, with their parachutes 31 packed on the back thereof, in position on the parachute carrier mounting I in the plane 34, the operating lever 32 is first swung on its fulcrum 33 until the lock arm 33, through the connecting rod 30, is swung on its pivot 03 sufficiently to disengage the teeth 63 on said lock arm from the teeth 31 of the motor pinion 31, but not sufficiently to close the motor switch I2, and said lock arm 33 is held in such position with its teeth 33 disengaged from the teeth 31 of the motor pinion 31, while the motor switch I2 is held open. by the lock 'II of said operating lever 32; the apron 43 being swung down on its pivots 43 into its operative position, extending outwardly through the open door 31 of the plane 34, a carrler 33 with its parachute 31 connected thereto and packed on the back thereof, is then placed upon the apron 43 with the carrier wheels I04 resting in the grooved track 43 at one side of said apron and the carrier wheel I33 resting upon the flat track 44 at the other side of said apron; the carrier 33 is then moved over said apron with its wheels I34 rolling in said grooved track 43 and its wheel I03 rolling along said flat track 44, until the carrier wheels I34 roll into the track 23 and the carrier wheel I33 rolls onto the flat track II of the curved section 3 of the mounting I, and the pusher catch I30 depending from the base plate 30 of said carrier enters the channel 24 of said 2,380,230 section 3 of said mounting I, through the rear end of said channel, and said pusher catch engages the roller 88 on one of the studs 88 upstanding from the chain 82, between the fork arms I81 and I88 of said catch, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawings; said carrier is then moved forwardly around said curved section 3 with its wheels I84 rolling along the channel track 28 and its wheel I85 rolling along the flat track 2| nel tracks l3 and I4 of the straight section 2' of the carrier mounting I and said carrier is movedover the rear end of said straight section; another carrier 88, with its parachute 81 mounted thereon; is then placed upon and moved over the apron 48 until said carrier is moved over the rear end of the curved section 3, of the mounting I and the pusher catch I88 of said carrier is moved into the rear end of the channel 24 of said curved section into operative engagement with the roller 88 on the next stud 88 on the chain 81 at the rear of the stud 88 having its roller engaged by the pusher catch I 88 of-said first carrier 88 placed on the mounting I as aforesaid; said first carrier and said second carrier are then moved forwardly along the mounting I, with the first carrier on the straight section 2 of said mounting, until the second carrier is moved from the curved section 3 over the rear end of said straight section of said mounting, the chain 81 being moved over its sprockets by the pusher catches I88 of said carriers engaging the, rollers 88 on said studs 88 of said chain; the remaining carriers are then successively placed uponthe apron 48 and moved over said apron and over the curved section 3 of the carrier mounting I, with the pusher catches I88 of said carriers engaging the rollers 88 on the succeeding studs 88 of the chain 81 and moving said chain over the sprockets 5| and 84 as aforesaid, until all of said carriers are in their proper positions on the straight section 2 of the carrier mounting I, with the first carrier at the forward end of said straight section and the last carrier at the rear end of said straight section of said mounting; the lock H of the operating lever 82 is unlocked and the spring 8I thrusts the connecting rod 88 rearwardly, which swings said operating lever into its initial position and the locking arm 58 rearwardly until the teeth on said arm engage the teeth 81 of the motor pinion 51 and lock said pinion against rotation, which locks the drive sprocket 5| against rotation and the chain 81 against longitudinal movement whereby the carriers 88 are locked against longitudinal movement along the mounting I, the short forward prongs I81 of the carrier pusher catches engaging the rollers 88 on the said studs 88 and preventing forward movement of the carriers, and the long rear prongs I88 of said catches engaging" said rollers and preventing rearward movement of said carriers along the mounting I; the rings 85 are spaced along the guide rod 82 opposite the rear of the carriers 88, respectively, and the snap hooks I43 on the ends of the static cords I42 of the parachutes 81 on the backs of the carriers are snapped into said rings, respectively. The carriers 88 are then occupied by passengers, or mail or freight is suitably packed therein, and the plane may then take off from the ground.

I 5 When it is desired to let the carriers 88, with passengers, mail or freight therein, out of the plane, in the parachutes 81, the apron 48 is swung down and out through the plane door 31 and the pilot of the plane, or his assistant, swings the operating lever 62 until the lock arm 88, through connecting rod 88, is swung away from the motor pinion 51 and the teeth 88 of said arm are disengaged from the teeth 81 of said-p n on, unlocking said pinion, and the switch 12 is closed, whereupon the motor 53 is driven by the generator 11, through lead 18, lead 88, switch 12 and lead 18, and the motor pinion 51 ,is rotated, which rotates the gear 58 and the drive sprocket 8|, and

said sprocket drives the chain 81 rearwardly through the channels II and 24 in the straight section 2 and curved section 3, respectively, of the carrier mounting I, whereupon ,the rollers 88 on the studs 88 on the chain 81, in engagement with the carrier pusher catches 'I 88, engage the longer rear prongs I88 of said catches and push said carriers'rearwardly over the straight section 2 and the curved section 3 of the carrier mounting I, out of the plane 34through its open door 31 and over the apron 48 into space, the carrier wheels I84, at one side of the carriers 88, traveling in the channel track I3 at one side of the straight mounting section 2, in the channel track 28 along the outer curve side of the curved mounting section 3, and in the grooved track 43 at one side of the apron 48, and the carrier wheel I85, at the other side of the carrier 88, traveling in the channel track I4 at the other side of the straight mounting section 2, on the flat track '2] at the' inner curve side of the curved mounting section 3, and on the flat track 44 at the other side of the apron 48, while the static cords I42, connected-to the parachute container covers I32, on

g the backs of the carriers 88 and to the rings 85,

respectively, draw said rings rearwardly along the guide rod 82 to the rear end of said rod, as said carriers are pushed rearwardly over the mounting I, as aforesaid; and as the carriers 88 travel from the rear end of the curved mounting section 3 the rollers 88 on the chain studs 88, traveling around the rear sprocket 84, escape the long prongs I88 of the carrier pusher catches I88 successively, and said catches pass out of the rear end of the chain channel 24 in said curved mounting section 3. When the rearmost carrier 88 has traveled outwardly over the apron 48 said carrier drops into space and the static cord I42, connected to the cover I32 of the parachute container on the back of said carrier, draws the ring 85, connected to the outer end of said static cord, to the rear end of the guide rod 82, where said end of said rod is connected to the arm 84 extending from the curved mounting section 3; and as said static cord is drawn taut between said parachute container cover and said ring, by the dropping carrier, said cover and the parachute, packed in i said container and connected by the short string I4I to the inner side of the back wall I48 of said cover, are drawn away from the stationary member I3l of said parachute container, the light, cord I38, laced through the eyelets I35 and I38 in the side walls and end walls of said stationarycontainer member and said cover, respectively, breaking under the weight of the dropping carrier, whereupon the parachute 81, connected to the dropping carrier by means of its shroud lines I28, risers I25 and carrier harness I2I, is drawn out of the container cover I32, by the dropping carrier, and the short string I4I is drawn taut,

- to the ground.

The remaining carriers in the plane 34, forwardly 01' said rearmost carrier, successively follow said rearm'ost carrier out of the'plane and drop successively through space, with their parachutes, to the ground, in the same manner as said rearmost carrier as above described, leaving cords I42 hanging from the plane by the rings 95 on the rear end portion of the guide rod 82 to which rings said static cords are respectively connected.

As above described the carriers 98 are delivered from the plane 34 by my mechanism, driven by the motor 53, but the carriers may be delivered from the plane without the use of the motor by inclining the forward end of the plane upwardly and swinging the operating lever 62, without closing the motor switch 12, sumciently only to swing the lock arm 59 away from the motor pinion 51 so as to disengage the teeth 68 of said arm from the teeth 61 of said pinion and unlock said pinion, whereupon the carriers 96 will run rearwardly over the carrier mounting I, out of the plane 34 through its open door 31 and over the apron 40, into space, as above described, the short prongs I01 of the carrier pusher catches I06 engaging the rollers 90 on chain studs 88 and moving the chain 81 rearwardly through the channels H and 24 in the carrier mounting sections 2 and 3, respectively; the chain 81 freely rotating the sprockets SI and 84,'and the gear 50; and said gear freely rotating the unlocked motor pinion 51, motor shaft 56 and motor armature, while the carriers 96 are being delivered from the plane.

In this specification and the annexed drawings I disclose my invention in one form which I consider desirable, but I do not limit my invention to such form, because it may be embodied in other forms, and it is to be understood that in and by the claims of this specification I intend to cover my invention in any form in which it may be embodied.

I claim;

1. In combination with an airplane and its cabin with a door in a side wall of said cabin at the rear of the wings of the plane, a plurality the rear end of the is their parachute container covers I32 and static ness connected to said other projecting ends of said risers, a static cord connected at one end to said container cover, a guide rod mounted in said plane and extending to a door in one side of the plane at the rear of the plane wings, and the rear end of said guide rod being secured to a fixed part in said plane, a ring connected to the other end of said static cord and slidable on said guide rod, and means whereby said carrier may be conveyed from said plane out through said door and dropped into space, while said static cord ring is drawn by the carrier and static cord to the rear secured endor said guide rod and said ring retained on said rear end of said guide ro 3. In combination with an airplane, a parachute carrier mounting in said airplane extending rearwardly and then laterally in the plane to a door in a side wall or the plane at the rear of the plane wings, said mounting being formed with track grooves in its side walls, tracks in said grooves, carriers supported on rollers and fitted over said mounting with said rollers resting in said tracks, parachutes connected to said carriers, means whereby said carriers may be moved rearwardly over said mounting along said tracks out or said door, and dropped from the plane, and means whereby said parachutes are automatically opened when said carriers are dropped from the plane.

4. In combination with an airplane, a parachute carrier mounting in said airplane extending longitudinally rearwardly and then laterally in the plane to a door in a side wall of the plane at the rear of the wings of the plane, tracks ex- 40 cause said chain to travel lengthwise of said or parachute carriers movably mounted in said cabin one behind the other longitudinally of said cabin, parachutes connected to said carriers, respectively, means whereby said carriers may be conveyed longitudinally rearwardly and then laterally in the cabin out through said cabin door and dropped from the plane, and means whereby said parachutes are automatically opened when said carriers are dropped from the plane.

2. In combination with an airplane, a parachute carrier, a parachute container comprising a container member secured on said carrier and a container cover detachably mounted on said container member, a parachute enclosed in said container, a cord connecting the top of said parachute to the inside of said container cover, risers connected at one end to the shroud lines or said parachute with their other ends projecting out or said container, a harness in which said carrier is mounted with the upper ends oi-said har- 14 said carriers mounting, carriers supported on rollers and fitted over said mounting with said rollers resting upon said tracks, interengaging means between said carriers and said chain whereby said carriers are moved rearwardly along said mounting out of said door and dropped from said plane, parachutes connected to said carriers, and means whereby said parachutes are automatically opened when said carriers are dropped from said plane.

5. In combination with an aircraft, a carrier mounting in said aircraft extending longitudinally rearwardly and then laterally to an opening in one side of said aircraft, said mounting being formed with track grooves in its sides, tracks in the lower and upper sides of said grooves, a carrier supported on rollers and constructed and arranged to fit over said mounting with said rollers fitted in said grooves and engaging said tracks, and a conveyor in said mounting whereby said carrier may be'moved over said mounting along said tracks into or out of said aircraft through said opening in said aircraft.

8. In combination with an airplane, a carrier mounting in said airplane extending longitudinallyin said plane to an opening in one side of said airplane at the rear of the wings oi said plane, tracks on said mounting, sprockets dournaled in said mounting, a chain extending over said sprockets, means whereby said sprockets are driven to cause said chain to travel over said sprockets, carriers supported on rollers and fitted over said mounting with said rollers resting upon said tracks. and interengaging means between and said chain whereby said carriers are moved by said'chain along said tracks into or out of said airplane through saidopening.

'7. In combination with an airplane constructed with a .door at the rear of the wings and at one 5 side of the plane, a movable carrier element mounted in said airplane and extending 1ongi-' tudinally therein to said door, a carrier, and interengaging means between said carrier and said movable carrier element whereby said carrier is H) moved into or out of said airplanethrough said door by said movable carrier element, said interengaging means being constructed and arranged to automatically connect said carrier to, or disconnect said carrier from said movable carrier is element, at said door in said airplane.

8. In combination with an airplane constructed with a door at the rear of the wings and at one side of the plane, sprockets journaled in said a plane with one of said sprockets adjacent said 3:)

door, an endless chain extending over said sprockets, pins upstanding from said chain in suitably spaced relation, carriers constructed and. arranged to extend over said chain and said sprocket adjacent said door, a pusher catch on each 25 of said carriers for engaging or disengaging one of said pins on said chain, as said pin travels with said chain forwardly or rearwardly around said sprocket adjacent said door, and means for rotating one of said sprockets to cause said chain 3 to travel forwardly or rearwardly around said sprockets.

9. In combination with an airplane, a -front sprocket journaled in the forward part of the plane, a rear sprocket journaled adjacent a door 35 in a side wall of the plane at the rear of the wings of the plane, an endless chain extending I over said sprockets, a motor for driving one of said sprockets to cause said chain to travel over said sprockets lengthwise of the plane, carriers mounted on rollers in the Plane, interengaging vmeans between said carriers and said chain whereby said carriers are moved by said chain rearwardly in the plane and out of said door and dropped from the plane, parachutes connected to said carriers, and means whereby said parachutes are automatically opened when said carriers are I dropped from the plane.

10. A mechanism as claimed in claim 9 including a motor circuit, and a lock constructed and arranged to lock the mechanism when said motor circuit is open or to unlockthe mechanism when said motor circuit is either open or closed.

11. In combination with an airplane constructed with a door in one side thereof at the rear of the wings of the plane, a carrier mounting in the plane formed With-a depressed channel extending longitudinally of the plane and curved at its rear end to saiddoor, a sprocket at the forward end of said mounting and a sprocket at the rear end of said mounting adjacent said door, an endless chain extending over said sprockets with one reach of said chain extending through said channel, pins upstanding from said chain, means for driving one of said sprockets, carriers supported on rollers adapted to roll on said mounting, a pusher catch on each of said carriers for extending into said channel in said mounting and engaging or disengaging one of said pins on said chain, as said pin travels with said chain forwardly or rearwardly around said sprocket adjacent said door, parachutes connected to said carriers, and means whereby said parachutes are opened when said'carriers pass out of the plane through said door and drop from the plane.

HARRY P. TRUSTY. 

